The founder of USA TODAY and former chairman of Gannett died Friday at the age of 89.

Samplings of reaction to the death and life of Al Neuharth, former chairman of Gannett and founder of USA TODAY, who died Friday at the age of 89:

"This is a great loss for all of us. Al was many things — a journalist, a leader, a serial entrepreneur, and a pioneer in advancing opportunities for women and minorities. But above all, he was an innovator with a unique sense of the public taste. The single greatest marker of those qualities is USA TODAY — built, as he said, to be a reader's newspaper. That principle continues to guide our journalism today. I will miss his counsel, and I will miss the man. But as with all great people, what Al built will live on.'' — Gracia Martore, Gannett CEO

"One of journalism's great characters — a splash of color on what had been a black-and-white landscape. For all the derision that greeted the launch of USA TODAY, he changed the newspaper business in ways that everyone else had to emulate. And he took great relish in his finger-in-the-eye approach.'' — Howard Kurtz, host of CNN's Reliable Sources

"Al Neuharth was, is and always will be USA TODAY. He holds a remarkable place in the history of American journalism and the spirit and passion which he brought to our industry will never be extinguished." — Dave Callaway, Editor in Chief, USA TODAY.

"To the end of his life, he was a contrarian in how he tweaked the journalistic establishment, dressed in his flamboyant wardrobe. Al often said (his early failure with a South Dakota sports newspaper) was a humbling and instructive experience, which he didn't forget as he moved up the executive chain at Gannett and became a newspaper baron. It was a wonderful American life, from a poor family on the Great Plains to the infantry in World War II to the heights of American journalism.'' — Tom Brokaw of NBC News.

"A great man, an innovative man. I'm really sad. He was a great friend. I go back a long way with him. He was a marketing genius. I compare him to the other guy I worked for, (CNN founder) Ted Turner. Neuharth revolutionized newspapers. They laughed at that paper, but he proved them wrong. You won't see his likes again." — former USA TODAY columnist Larry King, host of Larry King Now on Hulu and Ora TV.

"We are deeply saddened to hear of Al Neuharth's recent passing. The influence of his life and leadership throughout his career at USA TODAY and in retirement will be a lasting legacy of excellence. Our thoughts and prayers at Marriott go out to you all at USA TODAY at this very difficult time.'' — Marriott Global Operations.

Donna Brazile speaks during a meeting of Democratic National Committee on May 4, 2011, in Washington.(Photo: Alex Brandon, AP)

"America has lost one of the great newspaper visionaries. Al stood up for the little man while he walked with kings and presidents. I was fortunate to be one of many that he tutored." — Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla.

"The passing of Al Neuharth is an enormous loss to the world of journalism and to those who were fortunate to know him personally. Over the years he was a great friend to George M. Steinbrenner and the entire Yankees organization. As the founder of USA TODAY, he was a visionary in his industry, transforming how millions of Americans read their news every day. More importantly, he was a champion of equality and diversity in the workplace and leaves behind his other great legacy, the Freedom Forum, which continues to advocate for free speech and democracy. The Yankees family sends its deepest condolences to his wife, Rachel, and the entire Neuharth family." — The New York Yankees and the Steinbrenner Family.

"Al Neuharth and I began our association in basic newsroom roles, he as city editor, me as a news editor. Get-it-first, but get-it-right journalism was the hallmark of our association through the many years that followed, especially in the years that led to the pipedream that became USA TODAY. We were just two old editors looking for new challenges, and with the help of many bright young journalists we found it in USA TODAY.'' — John Quinn, former USA TODAY editor-in-chief and longtime top Gannett news executive for Neuharth.

"The term maverick is greatly overused in our society, but Neuharth had the credentials. Neuharth was a total optimist. He didn't worry about getting a negative reception. He didn't care whether the snooty media establishment in New York greeted him with open arms, either. He believed in his vision of presenting something new and unique — and that was enough to sustain him.'' — Jon Friedman, Media Matrix columnist.

"Visionary innovator who changed news biz and was still dedicated to helping others. Proud to have received award from him in SD" — @katiecouric

"It was fun watching Neuharth as we interviewed more than 30 heads of state during a round-the-world journey in 1988. Neuharth sized up all the worthies. As we left each of the world figures, you got the impression Neuharth either had learned something new about leadership and power, or simply felt mildly superior to the interviewee. Perhaps both.'' — David Mazzarella, former editor USA TODAY.

Al Neuharth appears to reject a phone call from the president of the United States during a ceremony to present the Al Neuharth Award to Katie Couric in 2009.(Photo: Lara Neel, Gannett)

"To me, he was a hero. He recognized the need for diversity, for our newspapers and TV stations to truly reflect the communities they served. I, like many others, had opportunities in Gannett that would not have existed at any other media company at the time. Of course, in 1977 when he promoted me to publisher he said: "Now there are two women publishers, so I can fire you if you screw up. Don't screw up." — Sue Clark-Johnson, former Gannett newspaper executive, now Executive Director of the Morrison Institute for Public Policy.

"One of his most enduring legacies will be his devotion to educating and training new journalists. He taught them the importance of not only a free press but a fair one." — Jim Duff, president and chief executive officer of the Freedom Forum.

"Native America owes Al Neuharth a lot. He gave us the opportunity when so many didn't. Thank You!" — Rhonda LaValdo, president of the Native American Journalists Association.

"Founder of USA TODAY. Great Yankees fan. Family friend for 3 generations. Will be much missed.'' — @SteveForbesCEO

"Al Neuharth reinvented news. He was truly one of the giants of the industry and perhaps its greatest living visionary. USA TODAY changed and improved journalism, revolutionized storytelling by adding graphics, color and tight bright writing. Even in our recent efforts to translate his vision into the modern world of digital journalism, we relied on him to tell us if we were going in the right direction. His advice was, not surprisingly, the best and most practical we heard. We, and the entire industry, will miss his help, his brilliance and his wonderful flair.'' — Larry Kramer, publisher, USA TODAY.

"Terms like 'new models' and 'platforms' are overused today. Not when talking about the creation of USA TODAY.'' — Tim Spengler, worldwide CEO of ad firm, Magna Global.

TV personality and former USA TODAY columnist at an April 13 gala in Las Vegas.(Photo: Bryan Steffy, Getty Images)

"Always bigger than life. He scared many of the founding staff when USA TODAY began in 1982 and I was certainly among them. But I was fortunate enough to have gotten to know him a few years later when I was a Gannett editor in South Dakota. Al was from rural South Dakota and he loved being home, completely at ease in South Dakota.'' — Ward Bushee, San Francisco Chronicle Executive Vice President and Editor.

"He had unbridled enthusiasm and support for the space program and (Florida's) Space Coast. It always came up in speeches. He always talked about it. He was just a lover of that whole program." — Mike Coleman, former publisher of FLORIDA TODAY.

"Al Neuharth was a visionary editor who transformed the business. And he was a champion of diversity, far ahead of other newspaper companies. At the same time, Mr. Neuharth was controversial for his emphasis on cost-cutting at local Gannett papers at the expense of what should have been investment that might have helped create a successful future for newspapers in the digital age.'' — Susan Goldberg, president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors, an executive editor at Bloomberg News and formerly an editor at USA TODAY.

"He was a great one. He believed in women. He believed in minorities. He always wanted to give the fellow with the least opportunity a chance." — Ruth Ziolkowski, widow of sculptor of Crazy Horse monument in South Dakota.

"Al was loyal to his people. He gave them what they needed to succeed, and when they did, he threw a helluva party.'' — Tom Curley, former USA TODAY publisher, and former head of AP.

"I have often thought of Al Neuharth and Ted Turner together as journalistic pioneers willing — even eager — to ignore convention in favor of invention. USA TODAY and CNN are the results. USA TODAY changed the look of America's newspapers and web representations — an impetus to significantly enhance opportunities for students to study graphics and design. Neuharth's philanthropy deserves equal recognition for its commitment to journalistic freedom, First Amendment rights and the preservation of journalism history through the spectacular Newseum in Washington.'' — Charles Bierbauer, former CNN senior correspondent, now dean of mass communications, University of South Carolina.

"What Neuharth did was teach the newspaper industry that it needed to change its ways or risk losing its hold on the mass audience of readers. That is why I call him the foremost journalism educator of the late 20th century." — John K. Hartman, journalism professor and author of The USA TODAY Way.

"He was the type of guy who knew what he wanted, and if you couldn't deliver what he wanted, he was going to find somebody else who could deliver what he wanted. If you were able to deliver what he wanted, he'd take care of you. You'd be his guy.'' — Dave Eggen, freelance photographer.

"Neuharth's 'never a down quarter' insistence on ever-rising profits at Gannett's newspapers was good for business. For journalism, not so much. But I did admire his penchant for ambitious moves and his zeal for life." — USA TODAY media columnist Rem Rieder.

"You believed in promoting women and people of color, and we who benefited are eternally grateful. Just this week I was talking to my students about having our class project reflect all the faces of America. You were scary and brilliant and you let us fly in the corporate jet to watch a World Series game (and back), all in one night. What an amazing ride we took — for decades. We were young, we were a startup and we had the best jobs in the world. Thanks Al.'' — Amy Eisman, former USA TODAY cover story editor, now program director at American University.